Meeting dates set by Tift BOE on House Bill 581
Published 11:00 am Friday, December 13, 2024
TIFTON — Starting in January, Tift County Schools will have a series of hearings about House Bill 581.
HB 581 deals with the floating homestead exemption and was expected to pass in November’s general election and did so. Though Tift Schools made preparations in anticipation of its passage, they were not able to begin action until it did.
At the Dec. 9 board meeting and work session, Klinton Guess said the system has had trainings since about what the bill’s impact will be, as well as listened to expert opinions. With that knowledge the Tift County Board of Education has indicated it would like to opt out of 581’s provisions.
“We can’t officially take any action until January,” said Guess.
Monday’s work session proposed a few dates for the three hearings. Board members agreed to Jan. 10 and Jan. 24. The third meeting, suggested for Feb. 7, may be changed. The confirmed dates will be advertised in advance.
Guess also had a proposed date of Feb. 13 to vote on the HB 581 resolution. Everything must be turned into the Secretary of State of Georgia by March 1.
Superintendent Natalie Gore said presentations will be made at the meeting dates to educate the audience about HB 581’s impact. “The hearings are an opportunity for the public to give comment to the board,” said Gore.
Board member Pat McKinnon asked about speaking to the public about HB 581. Gore said resources will be provided to help answer questions.
The regular session of the board of education met immediately after the work session Monday.
Unanimously passed during the regular session were:
— Architectural contract
— HR report
— Financial report
— Adjusting credit card limits
— Trip requests
— Surplus request
— Fundraiser request
Two policy review items were unanimously approved for 30-day public comment, those being: Policy GAK (criminal background check-out) and Policy GCRA (drug screening of bus drivers). Six other policy review items were unanimously approved by the board.